Governor Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary, choosing her over former public health official Abdul El-Sayed.
Key facts
- •Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Representative Haley Stevens for the U.S. Senate on Friday.
- •Abdul El-Sayed, Stevens' primary opponent, previously ran against Whitmer in the 2018 gubernatorial primary.
- •El-Sayed has received endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- •A May poll by the Detroit Regional Chamber placed Whitmer’s job approval rating at 52%.
- •A poll of 500 likely Democratic primary voters found that half of undecided voters would be more likely to support a candidate endorsed by Whitmer.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced her endorsement of Representative Haley Stevens for the U.S. Senate on Friday. In a video shared on social media, Whitmer stated that Stevens shares her strategy of prioritizing results for the people of Michigan. The endorsement comes as the Democratic primary race between Stevens and opponent Abdul El-Sayed intensifies.
By the numbers
Political Context of the Endorsement
Whitmer’s support for Stevens follows her previous electoral history with Abdul El-Sayed, whom she defeated in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary. El-Sayed is running on a progressive platform that includes criticism of Stevens’ stance on Israel. His campaign has received backing from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who held campaign events for him in Michigan last weekend.
Impact on the Primary Race
The governor’s endorsement is considered significant due to her continued popularity with Michigan voters despite being unable to seek a third term. A recent poll conducted by the Detroit News and WDIV-TV indicated that half of undecided Democratic primary voters would be more likely to support a candidate backed by Whitmer. In response to the news, an El-Sayed spokesperson characterized the endorsement as the 'corporate establishment' making their choice.
Timeline
- 2018Gretchen Whitmer defeated Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic primary for governor.
- Last weekendBernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held campaign rallies for Abdul El-Sayed.
- FridayGovernor Gretchen Whitmer officially endorsed Haley Stevens for the U.S. Senate.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NBC Politics.
